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Draw Dissatisfactory Despite Toros' Improvement

By NICHOLAS MURRAY - nicholas.murray@uslsoccer.com, 07/20/17, 8:57AM EDT

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RGVFC remains outside playoff positions after ending all square with Orange County


Photo courtesy Rio Grande Valley FC

EDINBURG, Texas – Coming off a drubbing at the hands of the Swope Park Rangers in their last outing, Rio Grande Valley FC was looking for the right kind of reaction on Wednesday night.

The Toros were certainly far better, but a 1-1 draw against Orange County SC at H-E-B Park left the side still on the outside of the playoff picture as it reached the midway point of its season.

“I think that what’s good is that we stepped up our level of play a lot from the last game,” said RGVFC’s T.J. Casner. “We definitely were fighting a bit more. Worked harder. And I think overall we were much more on the same page. From that perspective, it was good. We didn’t go backwards. We’re improving, so to speak, from the last game. So I don’t think good for a draw, but I think it’s better for us that we’re improving.”

Despite their improvement, a major blunder gave the visitors the lead in the 17th minute. A rolled pass from goalkeeper Marco Carducci to defender Ivan Magalhaes put the center back on somewhat of an island, and when he was slow to read the situation the resulting turnover gave Dusan Stevanovic a chance he finished clinically into the right side of the net.

Carducci has seen relatively little action since joining the Toros this season, with Borja Angoitia taking the majority of the minutes in goal, which may have led to the wider error.

“Typically, we want our two central defenders to be wider and our central midfielder to drop in before we start distributing,” said Toros Head Coach Junior Gonzalez. “When you have two forwards that tight to you, it’s not the best decision to play any ball in front of their team.”

The Toros responded well to the goal, though, and 10 minutes later had the equalizer as Casner was brought down by OCSC’s Oscar Sorto just inside the penalty area. Eric Bird converted calmly from the penalty spot, sending Charlie Lyon the wrong was as he slotted home into the right side of the goal.

Bird and Casner were at the center of much good for RGVFC, particularly after Ruben Luna was forced to be substituted early after a clash with Lyon as the two went for a through-ball just outside the penalty area. Luna got to the ball first, sending his finish just wide of the open net, but the resulting collision with Lyon left the forward hobbled.

That caused Bird to move into the central attacking role Luna had filled, and the former University of Virginia standout created numerous chances in addition to threatening himself over the remaining hour of the game. A low chance for Casner from the left side of the penalty area was well saved by Lyon early in the second half, while Bird’s flicked header with five minutes to go went just wide of the right post, almost grabbing victory. With the sides set to meet again on Saturday, the performance gave the Toros a mental boost.

“I think we were the better team tonight,” said Bird. “We had more of the ball. We played good soccer. It was just a matter of taking our chances. Me, specifically, I have to put some of those away that I had in the second half. I think if we just approach the game the same way, come at it with some good intensity and confidence, I think we can go to Orange County and get a win.”

With four of the club’s next five games on the road – and the lone home match next Wednesday night a meeting with Western Conference leader Real Monarchs SLC – the Toros’ trip out west will kick off a critical sequence in their season.

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